Automatic feeding and cutting mechanism for plastic material.



A. E. HGPKINS'fKfi 0. S. FELLOWS. AUTOMATIC FEEDING AND CUTTINQMEGHANISMfOR PLASTIC MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FiLED FEB-14, 1908.

Patented'Dec. 23, 1913. I c SHEETS-SHEET 1.

, mull!!!" A. E. HOPKINS & 0. S, PELLQWE. AUTUMATIC FEEDING AND CUTTINGMBcHANIsM FOB PLASTJU MATERIAL.

r h "1 APPLICATION FILED FEB- 14. 190B, 3 .1 Piltented Dec, 23, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SH12ET 2.

A. E. HOPKINS & O. S. FELLOWS. AUTOMATIC FEEDING AND CUTTING MECHANISMFOR PLASTIC MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14, 1908.

Patented Dec. 23, 1913.

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viz-2 1:]

i171- zlaws,

WA QX A. E. HOPKINS & 0. FELLOWS. AUTOMATIC FEEDING AND GUTTINGMECHANISM FOR PLASTIC MAThRIAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14, 1908.

1,082,331, Patehtedhecf23, 1913.

' -s SHEETS-SHEET 4. jig. f)

A. B. HOPKINS 6; 0. S. FELLUIWS. AUTOMATIC FEEDING AND CUTTING MECHANISMFOR PLASTIC MATERIAL. M APPLIUATIOII 151L215 rmafm, 1908. I v 11,, tfigzgfi Patented 2360.28, 1913.

6 BHEETS-SHEET 5.

1 5 ZZQL/us A; E. HOPKINS Q; G. S. FELLOWS.

AUTOMATIC FEEDING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR PLASTIC MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14, 1908. I

Panentsd No.23, 1913.

6 SEEETiS-SHEET 6.

Unrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARCHIBALD E. HOPKINS AND OLIN S. FELLOWS, 0F MIDDLETOWN, NEVJ YORK,ASSIGN- ORS TO IDEAL WRAPPING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

AUTOMATIC FEE DING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR PLASTIC MATERIAL.

Specification of Letters Patent Patented Dec. 23, E913.

Application filed February 34, 1908. Serial No. 415,873.

To (177' whom. it may concern Be it known that we, Anoinnann E. Hor-Kixs and Unix S. Fnnnows, citizens of the l'nited States, and residentsof Middletown, New York. have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Automatic Feeding and Cutting Mechanism for PlasticMaterial; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of cutting and feeding mechanismsfor 'plas c material shown in our prior application for wrappingmachine, filed on the 3rd day of September, 1907, Serial No. 391,086,and in which said cutting mechanism was shown as means whereby thearticles to be wrapped were cut or severed from a plastic strip, shapedto therequircd size and fed to the wrapping mechanism.

It is an object of this invention to provide cutting or sizingmechanisms adapted to be self feeding and adapted for any use requiringthe cutting, severing, or shaping of material of a plastic or slightlyplastic nature, imlependently of the delivery therefrom to a wrappingmechanism.

It is an object of this invention to afford an automatically actingrotative cutting mechanism by the use of which plastic or other materialin strips, may be severed into pieces of the same size and shapeanddelivered from the machine. Itis a further object of theinvention toafford a self feeding, cutting or shaping mechanism which actsautomatically to draw the plastic strip into position to be operatedupon by the knives or cutters and Which is provided with mechanismwhereby the plas t-ic material is pressed and kneaded upon the knives.

- It is also an object of the invention to afford a construction wherebyany broken pieces or fragments of the. material may be permitted toescape from the machine Without interfering with the. action thereof.

It is also an object: of'the invcntioii to afford means for scoring thestrip on the side opposite the knives to facilitate severance thereofand in case of breakage to direct the fracture to the score.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a continuous,automatic, cutting and feeding mechanism adapted to reduce the,

plastic strip to pieces of uniform size and provided with means wherebythe severed pieces are discharged automatically from the machine.

Finally it is an object of the invention to affordian automatic, selffeeding, cutting and shaping'meehanism, simple in construction, positivein operation and of such strength and durability as to obviate thenecessity for skilled labor in the operation thereof. p

The invention embraces many novel features and consists in the mattershereinafter described and more fully pointed out and defined in theappended claims.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a device ci'nbodvingour invention. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3is a section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. l is a section takencentrally from front to rear of the rotative cutt-in and feedin table.Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of the geared side of the machine. Fig. 6is a detail face view of the Geneva gear and stop therefor. Fig. 7 is afragmentary detail showing the lever and the cam for actuating theplunger. Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are enlarged top plan views of the feedand cutting table with the presserfeet thereon partly in section andillustrating different stages in the operation thereof. Figs. 12 to 16are enlarged fragmentary details of construction. f

As shown in the drawings: A comprises, as shown, a frame or tableconveniently constructed of cast metal and provided at its sides withdownwardly directed flanges a, which serve to-strengthen the table andalso to afford means for attaching certain parts of the operativemechanism thereto. J ournaled transversely in said frame in suitable andrigidly secured th bearing member C, which asshown in Flgs. -3 and 4, isprovided at its-upper end with bearings and beneath the top of the tableis the main driving shaft B, provided at one extremity with a drivingpulley b, and at the other extremity with a gear I) from whence thecutting mechanism is driven.

As shown, a stud shaft B is rigidly secured on the end of said frame androtatably secured thereon is a gear b which meshes with the gear Z), andalso with: the gear b rigidly secured on a shaft B eii tending inwardlyin suitable bearings beneath said table and provided on itsinner endwith a beveled gear I). Said table near the middle of the front sidethereof is provided with an aperture, extending through the top thereofand within the iiange a, and seated e ein is a removable a flange ewhich fits upon the table and affords means for securing said bearingmember in place. Said bearing member is'provided with a central,vertical' bore adapted to receive the elongated tubular hub Ctherethrough, which is: integrally connected with the circular, rotativecutting and feeding table D, as shown in Figs. 2 and 42' As shown, theflange c at the upper end ofthe bearing block (Lis provided adjacent thehub C. of the cutting and feeding table with an upwardly directed flangea, concentrio with the hub and which projects into a broad, circular,concentric channel on the under side of said feeding and cutting tableor-Wheel. Into the periphery of said channel. is sprung andrigidlysecured an annular member d, provided with inwardly directed gearteeth.U.Also journaled in said bearing-member C, in advance of thebearing for said rotative v cutting and feeding wheel is asbaft- D,provided at its upper end in said channelsin the cutting wheel with apinion d, which meshes with the inpa 11y directed gear teeth within saidtable and whereby said table is revolved intermittently from the shaft"13. For this pur-' vpose, as shown, a shaft-E is journaled through thehub C'- of the cutting tablean'd is provided at its lower end with abevel gear 6, whichmeshes with the bevel gear, 6

on thevshaft B and which acts to rotate saidv shaft Evcontinuously.Rigidly secured j on the hub e of said gear .e is an adjustable diske'wprovided near'its periphery witha pin e, on wh ch isjournaled ananti-friction roller efl as shown in Figs. 4 and 6 and which, as shown,is closely adjacent a notch or recesse 1n the side and lower'end of theshaft E. Rigidly secured on the-.]ower .e'nd sot-the shaft D l'is a:Geneva geariDt,

provided with/radial slots or notches- 01v throws a fiording between thesame outwardly directed arms, each of which. is con- Figs. 15 and 16.

cave at its extremity to fit to the convex surface of said shaft, asshown in Fig. 6, so that said shaft acts as a stop and lock thereforuntil the rotation of said shaft brings the recess 0 into register withthe end of the arms previously held'and simultaneously the'roller 6* isengaged in a notch or throw of said gear whereby the rotation of theshaftactuates said Geneva gear for a partialrevolution' and consequentlyaffords partial rotation forthe cutting table. T he extent of thisrotation of the cutting table is, of course, dependent upon the size ofthe gear (7', whirh'in eshes with 'the internal gear of said table. Inpractice said rotational movement is equal to the length of the piece tobe severed or 'in other' words to the distance between adacentknives dThe Cll'ftilig table, asfshownfis :radially slotted from the peripheryinwardly at equaldistanees apart about its periphery and secured thereinare the stationary knives (Z as shown inFigs. 3, 5, 1 0 and 11. Saidknives are ground on opposite sides to'an angle to afford a slightclearance outwardly from the cutting edge, as shown in In. theconstruction shown an angle of approximately 13 degreesis sufficient.The shank d of each knife is preferably ground in a line with thecutting edge so that the cutting edges always cometo the, same point inthe cir: cle on the cutting table thereby'rendering adjustment verysunple and permitting the knives to be grounduntil used up but al- .wayscutting the same size of caramel.v Said knives are rigidly butremovably, secured smooth the ragged or feather edgesof anycaram'el,also breaks .off any-projecting pieces andpreyents any abnormally shapedcaramels from being discharged... A feed In the construction shown,

chute D is rigidly supported uponlthe table and at its lower: endcurves. downwardly and, outwardly into close relation with the cuttingedges of said knives within. the cutting table, and is provided withside walls (Z ,(Z,which act to deliver the plastic strip .therethroughto the knives, and for the its purpose of insuringengagement of thestrip at all times in bear ng the strip against the I; .\i\'es Means areprovided for kneading, the plastic strip upon the knives and backcutting or scoring the same Opposite the knives.

For this purpose an eccentric g is provided I on the upper end of theshaft E as shown in i Fig. 13, and fitted thereon is the hub in of thepresser foot G which at its outer edge is provided with an upwardlydirected flange 9 adapted to fit to the plastic strip and with therotation of saidshaft acts to press the strip inwardly upon the knives.A. hack knife 9 removably secured in the periphery of the presser-foot Gby means of a plate 9 secured on the presser foot and bearing againstsaid knife and successively registers with the knives {Z on the cuttingtable when said table is at rest, during which time said presser foot isin engagement with thestrips. Asshown, a second presser foot G, providedwith a hub g which fits over the hub g of the presser foot G. is alsoconnected with said presser foot G by means of a screw or pin 9 which issecured in one of said presser feet and projects into a slot in theother to permit said presser feet to gages an upwar each move relativelythe other. Said presser feet are also yieldingly connected by means of aspiral spring g, which acts to return the presser feet G to normal aftereach actuation.

Rigidly secured upon said table A, is an upright or standard H, on oneside of which is rigidly engaged a bracket h, to which pivotally engagedan arm h, which projects over said cuttin table arid. piv otally end lydirected pin it rigidly engaged in any suitable; manner to the presserfoot G. This obviously prevents said presser foot moving around itsshaft with the rotation of the cutting wheel and limits the movementthereof to a reciprocating and slightly rocking or kneading movementwhereby said presser foot acts to force the strip upon the knives andthe back knife into the inner side of the strip. The presser foot Ghowever, being yieldingly connected with the presser foot G, ispermitted a slight rotational movement when retracted by the spring 9 asindicated in Figs. 8 to 11 and kneads and presses the strip upon theknives during the outward throw of the eccentric and until the eccentricg and spring 9 withdraw the presser.

rected upper edge h", of the standard H affords a pivotal support fordepending links i i', the lower ends of which are pivotally connectedwith the plunger 1, which nor- .mally lies within the knives in saidcutting -"*table and as shown. is provided wlth a downwardly directedhead thereon which fits betweentlie'knives and is adapted to press thesevered pieces therefrom and into the chute X. Means are shown forreciprocating said plunger comprising a cam wheel I rigidly secured onthe shaft B and provided in one of its faces with a cam groove. Ri idlysecured on the inner side of the frame ad acent said cam is a bracket2-, at the lower end of which is journaled a shaft 1', which projectsbeneath said cam wheel and is provided on its opposite end with anupwardly directed lever 47, from which a pin provided with ananti-friction roller as is usual, projects into the groove in said eamwheel. At the upper end of said lever is engaged a connecting rod 71,the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with the end of theplunger in any suitable manner, as, for instance, on the same pivot asthat for the link 2" whereby the rear end of said plunger is supported.Preferably engagement is effected in such a manner to insure releaseshould the piece to he delivered be uncut or jam. For this purpose aroller a? is provided on the pivot pin '1' and the end of said rod isslotted longitudinally of a width to receive said roller and the ends ofthe slot rounded to fit thereto. Pivoted on the end of said rod i andwith its rear end extending through a slot in the top thereof, is alever 17. the inner end of which engages said roller 1 above the centerpressing the same against the rear end of the slot. A spring '5 isengaged between the outer end of the lever and the end of said rod andholds said lever normally in engagement withsaid'roller but permitsrelease when pressure becomes abnormal.

material being delivered through the feed chute. D onto theii'itern'iittcntly rotating cutting table, the spring (Z resses the endagainst a knife and the partial rotations of the cutting wheel or tabledraw the end of said strip between the knives and said presser feet, asshown in Figs. 8 and 9. \Vhen the cutting table comes to rest byengagement of an arm of the Geneva gear I) with the shaft E, thecontinued rotation of said shaft moves the presser feet outwardly. Thepresser foot G first engages the strip with a slight rocking movement,and presses and kneads the strip onto the knives until a piece or piecesat the inner end of the strip are severed. The presser foot G nowengages the strip and rocks forwardly as the eccentric revolves backscoring the strip oppositc one of the knives. The kneading engagement ofthe presser foot G on the strip does not begin until t-he presser foot Gis about to retract and continues for a brief interval after theretraction of said presser foot 1? and until the rotational movement ofthe table begins. The spring'connection between the presser foot G and Gpermits a slight relative movement of the presser feet and is desirableto prevent the presscr foot- G sliding on the strip owing to the greaterlinear distance on the strip from point of first contact by presser footG to back knife than from rear edge of presser foot'Gr to back knife.When the presser foot G is retracted from the strip the spring 9 returnsit to normal relatively the presser foot G preparatory to anothermovement; This movement, of course, is continuous, the strips aregradually forced and kneaded v upon the knives and severed into piecesof a length equal to the distance between knives and the severed piecesbetween the knives are carried thereby'to position for-discharge fromthe machine. \Vhen the cutting table comes to rest the cam I has reachedthe position to begin its outward throw and engages the roller on thelever 2' carrying the same outwardly and (actuating the plunger throughthe medium of the connecting rod 2'), forces the severed piece from themachine into the chute. The plunger is immediately retracted by furtherrevolution of said'cam to clear the knives preparatory to a repetitionof the .cycle of operation. Should the severed or partly severed pieceresist the discharging action 'of the plunger to adegree to otherwiseendanger breakage of parts, or should some foreign hard substancepass-in with the plastic material, the abnormal resistance is sufficientto release the plunger frhm the rod 2' by compression of the spring 71and the danger is obviated. Conveniently and preferably, the receivingend of the chute X. is

shaped to afford a die wh ereby'severed pieces when discharged thereintoif of any abnormal proportions must be reduced to uniformity by theplunger in forcing the pieces i It is obvious that inasmuch as theknives theret-hrough.

are uniformly spaced and ground as'before described and rigidly engagedto the cutting table, each piece severed must be exactly the same lengthand'size and can never 'jamin the machine. This, uniformity is of greyimportance should the machin'elbe used in connection with a wrappingmechanism or should it be/desired to Wrap the articles manually afterdischarge from the cutting machine. Of course, if desired; the knivesmay be'arranged in said cutting table to permit the plastic strip tobeenga'g d from the outer side insteadof from the ini er, and

the mechanisni'for delivering the strip upon the knives may be operatedas before described excepting that in thatinstance, the presscr feetshould project beyond the cutting table and engage the strip by inwardmovement instead of'outward movement.

So too, the machine may be so constructed as to rotate continuouslyinstead of intermittently, and very many details of construction may bevariedwithout departing from this invention. e therefore do not purposelimiting this application'for patent otherwise than necessitated by theprior art,

Ve claim as our invention:

1. A cutting mechanism embracing a rotative table for supportingthematerial, a knife set therein, means intermittently pressing thematerial supported on the table against the knife'and means for rotatingthe table. I

2. A cutting mechanism embracing a rotative table, a knife rigidlysecured thereon,

reciprocating means acting automatically to press the material to be outagainst the knife and means for rotating the table to'present freshmateri'al'to the knife' y 8. A cutting mechanism embraci'ng'a ro tativetable, a plurality of knives rig'idlyse cured thereon and {spaced equaldistances apart, means for'rotatin g the table and means automaticallyand intermittently pressing, the material to be cut on the knives.

' 4. A cutting mechanism embracing a'rotative. table, a plurality ofknives carried thereby and spaced equal distances apart adapted to cutand carrytlie cut articles therebetween, positively actuated meanssupported on said table to intermittently deliver and press the materialto be cut'on the knives and means for rotating the-table.

5; A cuttin mechanism embracing a m: tative table or carrying thematerial a plurality of knives set therein .at an angle with the planethereof andj spaced equal distances apart, meansautomatically andintermittently pressingfthe material to be cut on said knives and meansfor rotating the table. a ,9

6. In a device of the class described a rotative table for carrying andadvancing the material to be out, knives carried thereon a chute adaptedto deliver the; material to" e severed to one of saidknives'jandmeanslacting to press the material on the'kniyeswhen drawninwardly by the first knife. i

'7. In a device of the class .describedairo-l .tativ'e table, itperipherally 1 arranged knives carried thereon, means adapted todeliver-the material to be severed to one of saidknives to draw thesameinwardly and'reeiprocatingmeans acting to press the materiaionto theknives}.

8. viceof the class described a, 16-. tative table} fperipheral1yarranged 1 knives extendingabove-the same, means adapted Le deliverthematerial-in a. s riptosiini tbfi knives whereby it is drawn into themachine, means pressing the strip onto the knives and a back knife toscore one side of the strip.

9. In a device of the class described a 1'0- tative table, knivescarried thereon, means adapted to deliver the material to be severed tosaid knives, means pressing said material on the knives and a back knifeto cooperate with the first named knives.

10. In a device of the class described a rotative element, knivescarried thereon adapted to sever material pressed against the same and apositively actuated reciprocating back knife acting to score thematerial on the side opposite the other knives.

11. A device of the class described embracing a rotative cutting table,knives rigidly but removably secured thereon, means delivering a plasticstrip to be severed by the knives on said table, mechanism acting topress said material upon the knives and a back knife adapted to partlysever the strip opposite the first named knives.

12; device of the class described embracing a rotative cutting table,knives rigidly but removably secured thereon at an angle with its plane,means delivering a plastic stripto the knives on said table, mechanismacting to press said material 'upon the knives and means scoring thestrip opposite each knife to partly sever it.

13. A. device of the class described embracing a rotative cutting table,radially arranged knives rigidly but removably secured thereon, meansdelivering a plastic strip to the knives on said table, mechanism actingto knead said material upon the knives and a back knife operating withsaid kneading mechanism. I

14. A. device of the class described embracing a rotative cutting table,knives rigidly but removably secured thereon, means delivering a plasticstrip to and pressing the same against the knives on'said. table,mechanism acting to apply a rolling pressure against the material topress the same upon the knives and a reciprocating back knife acting topartly sever said strip opposite each of the first named knives.

15. A device of the class described embracing a rotative cutting table,knives rigidly hut removably secured thereon with their edges arrangedat an angle with the plane of the table, means delivering aplastic'strip to andcngaging the same with the knives, a reciprocatingpresser foot acting to press said material upon the knives and a backknife carried on said presser foot.

16. In a device of the class described a plurality of knives rigidlysecured at equal distances apart, means for delivering a plastic stripto'the knives, and gyrating kneading mechanism acting to apply rollingpres sure to said strip to press the same between said knives.

cured knives and a'presser foot carrying a hack knife and acting toforceinaterial to be out against said knives and to back out the sameopposite one of the knives.

18. In a cutting mechanism a movable table, knives arranged thereon, apresser foot acting to press the material to. be out against said knivesand a back knife movable simultaneously with the presser foot and backcutting said material opposite each knife. V

19. In a device of the class described a movable table, radiallyadjustable knives] rigidly secured thereon at equal distances apart,means adapted to press plastic material upon said knives to sever thesame into pieces of uniform size and reciprocating mechanism fordelivering the severed pieces from said table.

20. In a device of the class described a rotative table, knives rigidlysecured thereon at equal distances apart, means adapted to press plasticmaterial upon said knives to sever the same into pieces of uniform size,a back knife cooperating with the fixed knives and mechanism fordelivering the severed pieces from said table. I

21. In a device of the class described a movable table, upstanding,inwardly facing knives rigidly secured thereon at equal dis tancesapart, means acting to press plastic material upon said knives to severthe same into pieces of uniform size, and mechanism for delivering thesevered pieces from said table.

22. In a device of the class described a movable set of parallel edgedknives rigidly secured at equal distances apart, means actuatin' thesame, a presser foot acting at an angfe to press the material to be outupon said knives, and mechanism for pressing the severed pieces frombetween the knives and delivering the same from the machine.

23. In a cutting machine a movable set of parallel edged knives rigidlysecured at equal distances apart, means intermittently moving said setof knives, a presser foot acting to force the materialto be out againstthe knives, a back knife moving therewith to assist in the cutting andmeans acting when the knives are .at rest to force the severed piecesfrom between theknives and from the machine.

251. In a cutting machine a movable set of arallel edged knives, meansactuating sai set, presser feet acting to force the material to be cutagainst said knives, a spring yieldingly connecting the presser feet,the inward feed of material being-ace complished by the movement of theknives.

25. In a cutting machine for plastic material a set of knives having'thecutting edges parallel, means moving said set of knives to feed theplastic material inwardly,

a presser foot forcing the material upon the knives, a back knifecarried thereon to partly sever the material from the rear, and meansdelivering the severed pieces from the 5 machine. a

26. A machine of the class described embracing knivcs'movable to drawthe material mto cutting position, a presserfootapplying rollingpressure to the material to force the same upon the knives, areciproeating back knife and means deliveringthc severed material fromthe machine.

27. A machine for cutting plastic strips into uniform pieces embracingknives movable to draw the strip into cutting relation, a reciprocatingand rocking presser foot acting to press the material on the knives,areciprecating back knife and from the. machine.

28. In a device of the class described an I intermittently rotativecutting table, equally thereon, automatic means acting topressthematerial to be severed .against the knives and a plunger acting topress the severed pieces from between theknives,

30. In ,a device of the class described an ,intermittently rotativccutting table, equally spaced knives thereon, automatic means acting topress the material to be severed outwardly against the knives and meansacting when the table is ,at rest to press the material severed, frombetween the knives.

31. In a device of the class described an' intermittently ro'tativecutting table, equally spaced upstanding and inwardly facing knivesthereon and antoinatlc means acting ,from within to press thc'materialto be severed outwardly against the knives.

32. In a device of the class described, an intermittently rotativecutting table, equally spaced upstanding, peripheral, inwardly facingknives thereon, automatic means acting from within to severed outwardlypress the material to be againstthe knl vesland a back knife coactingwith the peripheral I ,terial'embracing an intermittently rotativeinwardly facing knives "arranged equal distances apart on' the peknives.

33. In a device of' the class described an intermittentlyrotativetcutting table, equally spaced peripheral, inwardly facingknives thereon,-.,automatic means operating from within to press thematerial to be severed outwardly against the knives and a backknife'carried on the pressing means.

34. In a cutting machine for plastic strips an intermittently rotativetable, upstanding, inwardly facing, peripheral knives secured ,thereon,prcsser feet actuated from the middle, one act ng when the table is atrest,

reciprocating mcans acting to force the severed pieces on the knives, a

to )ress the strip against the knives and a bacr knife carried on one ofthe presser' feet.

3.5. A cutting mechanism for strips of plastic'ma'terial, embracing arotat-ive table, upstanding, inwardly facing, peripheral knives thereon,presser feet acting to press the plastic material against the knives andautomatically operating means acting when thev table is at rest fordelivering severed pieces from the machine.

36. A cutting mechanism for plastic material embracing an intermittentlyrotative table, upstanding, inwardly facing, peripheral knives thereon,"rocking and reciprocating presser feet actuated-from within for pressingthe material against the knives, a backknife carriedon one or both thep'resser feet and automatically operating means acting while the tableis at rest to deliver severed pieces from the machine.

37. In a machine of the class described presser'feet having areciprocating and a rocking movement and one of the same capable of aslight rotational movement and a cam for actuating both pressr feet;38..In a machine of the class described presser feet, one having areciprocating and rocking movement, the other a reciprocating, rockingand a slight rotational movement, a cam presser feet to move onerotationally.

-39; prcsser feet, one having a reciprocating and rocking movement, theother reclprocatlng,

common to both for actuating the same and aspring connecting 1 said In amachine of the 'class described rocking and a slight rotationalmovement, '7

a cam common to both for actuating the same successively, a springconnecting presser feet to move one rotatlonallyand a back knife carriedon one of the presser feet.

. 40. A cutting mechanism for plastic strips embracing:in'intermittently rotative table,

said i upstanding, inwardly facing, peripheral knives thereon, presserfeet, a cam common to both for successively actuating the same to pressthe plastic material against the knives, a back knife on one presserfoot and automatically operating means acting when the table is at' restfor delivering severed pieces from the machine.

41. A cutting'mechanism for plastic n1atable, upstandin riphery of thetable-,pre'sser feet between which and'the knivesthe strip to be cut isdrawn by the knives, a cam actuating the presser feet successivelyto-force the' strip' 42. A cutting mechanism for plastic stripsembracing an intermittently rotative table, upstanding, inwardly facingknives thereon arranged about the periphery, means press" ing the endsof the strips against the knives to draw the strips inwardly thereby,means pressing the strip upon the knives between rotations of the tableand automatically ing severed pieces from between the knives.

44. A device of the class described embracing an intermittently rotatingtable and means for actuating the same to afford equal partialrevolutions, upstanding knives on the periphery of the table, a presserfoot adapted to press the material to be out upon said knives and meansactuating the same during the interval of rest of the cutting table.

45. A device of the class describedembracing a circular table,upstanding, in-

wardly. facing, equally spaced knives onthe periphery thereof, meansintermittently rotating the table the distance between adjacent knives,presser feet positively actuated to pressplastic material upon saidknives and means actuating the presser feet to imperiphery thereo Itating the table, the distance between adjapart successive rollingpressure from each.

46. A device of the class described embracing a circular table,upstanding, inwardly facin'g,'e ually spaced knives on the f, meansintermittently rocent knives, yieldingly connected presser feet, aneccentric operating both to press the material upon said knives, a linklimiting one of the presser feet to cciprocating and rocking motion andayielding connection between said presser feet.

47. A cutting mechanism for plastic strips embracing a table, upstandingkni es on'the periphery thereof, arranged equal distances apart, meansintermittently rotating the table a distance equal to that betweenadjacent knives, a chute adapted to deliver the end of each strip to oneof the knives wherebv the strip is drawn into the machine, yieldinglyconnected presser feet, means actuating the presser feet successively,one at least acting during the interval of rest of the cutting table anda link holding one of the presser feetfrom rotational movement. ..48.-Ina machine adapted to cut plastic pieces therethrough and smooth anyrough piece.

49,. A cutting mechanism for plastic strips comprising a table,upstanding knives on the periphery thereof spaced equal distances apart,means intermittently rotating said table a distance equal to thedistance between adjacent knives then locking the table from movement,means delivering the end of each strip to one of the knives whereby thestrip is drawn into the machine, automatically actuated presser feetacting to press the plastic strip upon said knives, r cam actuatingboth, one at least acting during the interval of rest of the cuttingtable anda positively actuated plunger-adapted to press the severedpieces from between the knives.

50. A device of the class described embracing a rotating table and meansfor actuating the same to afford equal partial rotations, upstandingknives on said table at the periphery thereof, yieldingly connectedpresser feet to press the material upon said knives, meansactuating thesame to impart a reciprocating rolling movement, against the material,one acting while the table is at rest and a, spring connecting thepresser feet and affording a slight rotational movement thereof Whileretracting.

51. In a device of the class described a discharge mechanism actingnormally to press the severed pieces from between the knives and adetent connected therewith acting to release at abnormal pressureexerten by said discharge mechanism.

1 52. The combination with a rotative cutting mechanism of anoscillating plunger acting across the face thereof to dischargesuccessively each of the severed pieces and means actuating the same.

53. In combination with knives arranged about a common center and meanspressing material to be severed thereon of a discharge mechanism actingbetween the knives to press the pieces therefrom and a release mechanismthrowin the same out of action when opposed by a normal resistance.

54. In combination with knives arranged about a. common center and meanspressing material to be severed thereon of a discharge mechanism actingbetween the knives to press the pieces therefrom and a spring controlledrelease mechanism acting to throw the same out of action when opposed byabnormal resistance.

A cutting mechanism comprising a rotatable table surrounded byupstanding knives facing the center of the table, means pressing thematerial to be severed thereagainst, a reciprocating discharge element,

l I v v stantly'variable -ax1s of operation. acting to press themateri'al with rolling pressure spring pressed lever acting to char.

means actuatingthe same positively and a release the same when pressures abnormal.

56. In a device of the class described emknives-and a kneading memberhaving a conthereagainst.

58. In a knives, a kneading member, means reciprocating and rocking thesame to press the material to be out against the knives, a back knifecarried thereby, and a swinging disge element act ng material frombetween the knives.

59', A cutting mechanism embracing aplu I rality of horizontallyrotatable knives ar ranged abo ta common center and means H having avariable axis ofoperation for pressmg a plastic strip between the sameto sever the same into uniform pieces.

60, A .cuttin mechanism embracing radially directed l mives arrangedabout acom ,moncentenhaving' inwardly fa ng edges and means pressing ap1 stid str p against the, same from within outwardly.

feeding,-radia directed knives arranged about a common c'e'nter, meansdelivering a plastic strip thereto and reciprocating means actingsucc'zessively with. said lmivs to sever said strip and intermittentlyforce "the severed art cles betweenthe knives.

62-. A cutting mechanism for plastic material embracing self-feeding,movable knives sharpened and. set to provide a greater.

width between the same beyond the cutting edges'than at the cuttingedges, and re'ciprocatingm'eans coac ting therewith intermittently toress the material on and between adjacent ives..j v I, I y

.63. A cutting mechanism. mbracln a plnrality of radially directed,self-fee ing 1 kn ves arranged about ,a common center, said knivessh'arpened on. their inwardly facin edges and 'set toprovijde clearancebeyon the cutting edge and a adapted to successively coact' with saidknives. v Q I 64. A cutting mechanism embracing mov able,fself-fee dingknives arranged about a common center and means including a back knife-'coacting with each to sever plastic material uniformly therebetween.

. 65. A cutting table, peripheral knives tion between the presser sretracted effecting a slight rotational movement.

device ,of the class described to press the severed the material toreciprocatable knife thereon, presser feet acting to force the materialto be ci'it-thereagainst and a cam ac-- tuating said presser feetsuccessively.

66. A rotative cutting table, periphera' knives thereon, a rotative cam,presserfee't actuated thereby to 'coact with the knives, a link engagingone ofsaid presser feet whereby rolling and reciprocating motion isimparted thereto and a feet whereby the other presser foot 1 yieldingconne'c- 67. A cutting table, knives arranged around the peripherythereof, means delivering and pressing plastic material to 'and on thesame, adischarge mechanism and a die positioned to receive therethrough.

68. An table, knives thereon, a constantly rotative cam, presser feetactuated thereby to'press the material on the knives, rigidly secured onone presser foot cessivelycoacting with said knives to'back score thematerial.

the severed pieces 69. In a device of the class described a knivessecured peripherally rotative table, thereon, means actuated from withinto press be cut on said knives, a chute to receive the severed materialfrom the knives, a die at the receiving end of chute through which thematerial is pressed and a plunger acting from within the table to pressthe material through said die. j

' 70. In a cutting mechanism a pluralityjof knives arranged in a circleequal distances rotate in a horizontal plane. I

intermittently rotative cutting.

and a back knife and 'suc+ the ' apart and facing inwardly and adaptedto 71. In a cutting machine, knives arranged in a circle equal distancesapart andeach having part of the front vertical surfa'ce ground to acutting edge,

the front surface of the shank and the cutting edge being in alinementand'facing the center'of the'circle.

7 2. In a cutting machine a circular cutting table having radial slotsextending from the Periphery eqlual distances "inward and'a knife ineach s ot, each havin the front edge of the shank and the cutting edgein vertical alinement and table.

73. In a cutting machine *a circular cuttingtable having radial slotsextending from the periphery'e ual distancesjinward and a knife in eachs 0t, each 'hav'ing'the front edge of the shank and the cuttingedge in avertical planeand directed toward the axis of the table and a set'screwengaged in the table and pressing the shank'firmly in its seat.-

74. In a cutting 1nachine, a circular cutting table, radial slotsopening through .the' periphery and of q'ual'length, a radially directedknife in each slot having the cutting edge facing the axis of the tableand extend:

facing the axis ofthe edges on each side of each knife when the ingvertically and the front edge 0f its 'shank'and cutting edge in vertical-ahnement, sa1l knives being so sharpened and set thatra clearanceafforded beyond the f cutting edges. v

75. In a machine of the class described, knives each having a shank. thefront edge of which is in 'alinement with the vertical cutting edge andthe blade of such thickness as to aliord a (tlt'ttil'tlflCO hack of thecutting knives are set in a circle and means including a reciprmratingknife enacting with each of said first mentioned knives to sever maforsevering the material.

79. A cutting mechanism embracing coacting-revolving and reciprocatingknives for severing the material and means for kneadingand shaping thecut articles.

80.- A cutting mechanism eriiln'acing a rotating-element,'- knivessecured thereto and independently removable, oscillating andre-.

-ary die through which eaclr piece passes. .whcn discharged fromthc machne.

ciprocating means for enacting with the knives in shaping and cuttingthe inaterial into uniform sized .piccesand a releasable plunger forforcing the pieces from the rotating element. c c .81. ,1 cuttingmechanism embracing supporting means, knives thereon for severing thematerial a Geneva gear for int rmittently advancing the support andmeans for discharging the severed pieces between each advancement of thesupport.

82. in a device of the class described-1 mechanism for cutting a stripof plastic maierial into equal siicd pieces and a station- 83. In adevice of the class described mechanism for cutting a plastic strip into'ing discharge thereof.

pieces, means for ejecting the pieces when cut; from the cuttingmechanisin'and a die adapted to smooth and shape the pieces dur- 84'. Ina device of the class described a retat ing'tahle', knives securedaround the pe- 1-iphei" 'v"' t'liereof, a guard plate extending partlyaround the table, said guard plate aperture-d and shaped to provide adie.

87:. ln'a device of the cla s described a rotaling talllc', knivessecured ripheiv thereof, a guard plateextending partly around the table,'said guard plate :lpCl'tlllQd and shaped to provide a die; means forintermittently rotating the table and stopping the table in position to'discharge. through said die. f

56. In a device of the class described a rotating table, knives securedaround thepe ripliery thereof, a guard plate extending partly around thetable,- saidguard plate apertured and shaped to -provide a die,

means for intermittently rotating the table and stopping the tablein-position to discharge through said die, and yielding mechanism forforcing the material cut by the knives through the die.

S7. A cutting mechanism comprising intcrnuttently moving knives and'areciprotttltlflg knife adapted to successively coach in the same planewith each of said moving knives. I v

cutting .mcchanism comprising knives and mechanism operated fromnshiftaround the pe:. Y

in: axis for kneading and forcing the material cnto the kni es.

$1). In a device of the class described a support, knives securedthereto and eoacting members for forcing ihe material against theknives. both of said members having the HUT: axis whicheonstam'lychanges position when operating. In testimony whereof we havehereuntosubscribed our names in-thepresence of two:

suliscrihing witnesses I ARCHIBALT) E. HOPKINS, OLIN FELLOW-S.

\Vitnesses: A

Rtssrzui Wiccixs, CHARLES C. R-rzbrmno. j

